This part of the 'Virtual Bus Tour' concentrates on water management. 

This section will grow as we go out and interview more and more cane growers onfarm and add the content here.  This new website functionality will suit those with a high speed internet connection.



Water sub surface trickle irrigation > Joe Linton, Burdekin cane grower
Joe Linton has received a federal Reef Rescue grant via NQ Dry Tropics to establish infrastructure for a drip irrigation trial on his 6000-tonne farm
on Kirknie Road, Home Hill. Potential benefits from trickle include greatly reduced water demand from the underground aquifer, possible less nutrients escaping into the water table through deep infiltration, reduced deep drainage, elimination of run-off, staged nutrient application through the system, lower electricity bills for pumping and higher productivity with fewer inputs.
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Water automated irrigation trials & targeted input application > Russell Jordan, Burdekin cane grower
Russell Jordan has been trialling an automated irrigation system on his Burdekin cane property to target water applications, even when he is not around to switch the water on and off himself.  Water is not the only thing he is targeting.  He has secured Reef Rescue funding via NQ Dry Tropics for a GPS for the farm tractor and for a variable rate applicator for his fertiliser box. Now he says you can sit down, dial it up through the GPS screen, capture what fertiliser, record it, set it all in. You can also change rates through the paddock if needed or even change blocks or change farms.  He says it’s just so much simpler - no changing chains or cogs or anything like that.
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Water automated irrigation trials & targeted input application > Les Durnsford, Mackay cane grower
Despite the recent announcements from Queensland State Premier Anna Bligh, the Durnsford family of Wagoora (65kms north of Mackay) believe they have always done a good job of
protecting their land’s yield potential. While quick to give the thumbs down to increased regulation at the State level, the Durnsfords say the Federal Governments proactive Reef Rescue program is helping growers afford to make convert to new technology sooner that they would otherwise have been able.  They used Reef Rescue funding to purchase a Rainstar ES1 hard hose irrigator which helps them to make the best use of water and has been a real help in irrigating their plant and ratoon cane.
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